A method for use in cleaning a processing system and a processing system

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for use in cleaning a cross-flow processing system. The processing system comprising a feed pump for feeding a fluid to a baseline of the processing system, and at least one filtration unit. The at least one filtration unit comprising a filtration membrane and a retentate outlet fluidly connected to the baseline for guiding retentate of the at least one filtration unit to the baseline. The processing system further comprising a loop pump for feeding the fluid in a predetermined flow direction to the at least one filtration unit. The loop pump being fluidly connected to the baseline and the at least one filtration unit so that a loop is formed comprising the loop pump, the at least one filtration unit, and the retentate outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for use in cleaning a cross-flow processing system, the processing system comprising a feed pump for feeding a fluid to a baseline of the processing system, at least one filtration unit, the at least one filtration unit comprising a filtration membrane and a retentate outlet fluidly connected to the baseline for guiding retentate of the at least one filtration unit to the baseline, wherein the processing system further comprises a loop pump for feeding the fluid in a predetermined flow direction to the at least one filtration unit, the loop pump being fluidly connected to the baseline and the at least one filtration unit so that a loop is formed comprising the loop pump, the at least one filtration unit, and the retentate outlet, the method comprising:
 during a first time interval during a cleaning-in-place, CIP, process of the processing system, applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a first fluid flow rate over the filtration membrane, and   during a second time interval during the CIP process of the processing system, applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a second fluid flow rate over the filtration membrane,   wherein the second fluid flow rate is different from the first fluid flow rate.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 during a third time interval during the CIP process of the processing system applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a third fluid flow rate over the at least one filtration membrane, wherein the third fluid flow rate is different from one or more of the first fluid flow rate or the second fluid flow rate.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid flow rates are provided by setting one or more of a power consumption of the loop pump, an output power of the loop pump, a speed of the loop pump, a loop recirculation flow, a permeate flow, a baseline pressure present at an outlet of the loop, or a valve in the loop. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid flow rate over the at least one filtration membrane is between 0% and 80% of the second fluid flow rate, such as between 0% and 70% of the second fluid flow rate, such as between 0% and 60% of the second fluid flow rate, such as between 0% and 50% of the second fluid flow rate. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 determining a first pressure difference across the filtration membrane, the first pressure difference being caused by the first fluid flow rate of the fluid over the filtration membrane,   determining a second pressure difference across the filtration membrane, the second pressure difference being caused by the second fluid flow rate of the fluid over the filtration membrane,   wherein the first fluid flow rate is applied to provide a first pressure difference, which is between 0% and 80% of the second pressure difference.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the applying of the first fluid flow rate and the applying of the second fluid flow rate are repeated during the CIP process of the processing system. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first time interval or the second time interval is between 2 seconds and 20 minutes, such as between 10 seconds and 18 minutes, such as between 20 seconds and 15 minutes, such as between 25 seconds and 10 minutes, such as between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the loop is a first loop and the loop pump is a first loop pump and wherein the processing system further comprises at least one second filtration unit comprising a second filtration membrane and a second retentate outlet fluidly connected to the baseline for guiding retentate of the at least one second filtration unit to the baseline, wherein the processing system further comprises a second loop pump for feeding the fluid in a predetermined flow direction to the at least one second filtration unit, the second loop pump being fluidly connected to the baseline and the at least one second filtration unit so that a second loop is formed comprising the second loop pump, the at least one second filtration unit, and the second retentate outlet, and wherein the method further comprises:
 during the first time interval during the CIP process of the processing system, applying, by the second loop pump, the fluid to the at least one second filtration unit at a fourth fluid flow rate over the second filtration membrane; and   during the second time interval during the CIP process of the processing system, applying, by the second loop pump, the fluid to the at least one second filtration unit at a fifth fluid flow rate over the second filtration membrane,   wherein the fourth fluid flow rate is different from the fifth fluid flow rate.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is a processing system for processing one or more of a dairy product, brewed goods, a non-alcoholic beverage, a food and/or beverage product, a fermented product, a permeate, a condensate, a chemistry product, wastewater, drinking water, desalinated water, or a chemical. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A cross-flow filtration processing system comprising a feed pump for feeding a fluid to a baseline of the processing system, at least one filtration unit comprising a filtration membrane and a retentate outlet fluidly connected to the baseline for guiding retentate of the at least one filtration unit to the baseline, wherein the processing system further comprises a loop pump for feeding the fluid in a predetermined flow direction to the at least one filtration unit, the loop pump being fluidly connected to the baseline and the at least one filtration unit so that a loop is formed comprising the loop pump, the at least one filtration unit, and the retentate outlet, wherein the processing system further comprises a control device configured to control a setting of the loop pump of the cross-flow filtration processing system, the control device comprising one or more outputs configured to be in operational connection with a respective loop pump and a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to:
 during a first time interval during a cleaning-in-place, CIP, process of the cross-flow filtration processing system, applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a first fluid flow rate over the filtration membrane, and   during a second time interval during the CIP process of the processing system, applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a second fluid flow rate over the filtration membrane,   wherein the second fluid flow rate is different from the first fluid flow rate.   
     
     
         12 . The cross-flow filtration processing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the loop is a first loop and the loop pump is a first loop pump and wherein the processing system further comprises at least one second filtration unit, comprising a second filtration membrane and a second retentate outlet fluidly connected to the baseline for guiding retentate of the at least one second filtration unit to the baseline, wherein the processing system further comprises a second loop pump for feeding the fluid in a predetermined flow direction to the at least one second filtration unit, the second loop pump being fluidly connected to the baseline and the at least one second filtration unit so that a second loop is formed comprising the second loop pump, the at least one second filtration unit, and the second retentate outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The cross-flow filtration processing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the processing system comprises a membrane filtration plant. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program product comprising program code means adapted to cause a data processing system to, when said program code means are executed on the data processing system:
 during a first time interval during a cleaning-in-place, CIP, process of the cross-flow filtration processing system, applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a first fluid flow rate over the filtration membrane, and   during a second time interval during the CIP process of the processing system, applying, by the loop pump, the fluid to the at least one filtration unit at a second fluid flow rate over the filtration membrane,   wherein the second fluid flow rate is different from the first fluid flow rate.   
     
     
         15 . The computer program product according to  claim 14 , wherein said computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon the program code means.